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Hong Kong can facilitate overseas businesses, including Canadian enterprises, as they step out of their geographical boundaries and venture into the vast Belt and Road market, said the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, at the gala dinner of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association National Conference in Calgary, Canada on June 3 (Calgary time).
Delivering a keynote speech at the dinner, Mr So pointed out that the Belt and Road Initiative is a global vision to boost co-development by connecting economies along the route. The initiative is open to all nations and is not limited by geography.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong can serve as the facilitator for trade and businesses. "Our strategic geographical location, at the southern gateway to Mainland China, gives us unparalleled trade opportunities. Today, some 20 per cent of the Mainland's international trade is handled by Hong Kong. We are serving as the 'super-connector', enabling overseas companies to enter the China market, while assisting Chinese enterprises in going global," said Mr So.
He added that Hong Kong also serves as a professional services hub. Hong Kong is blessed with a large pool of world-class professionals, with expertise in areas such as accounting, law, architecture, engineering management and more. These professionals can provide high quality services beyond the provision of financial capital and expertise. Hence, he encouraged Canadian companies to make full use of Hong Kong's advantages in tapping the massive Asian markets and beyond.
Earlier in the morning, Mr So met with the Chinese Consul-General in Calgary, Mr Wang Xinping. He then had a meeting with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Calgary Economic Development, Ms Mary Moran, to exchange views on matters relating to economic development in Hong Kong and Canada. He will attend the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association national board meeting on June 4 (Calgary time).
Mr So will return to Hong Kong tomorrow (June 5).
Ends/Saturday, June 4, 2016
Issued at HKT 10:43
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